Mojtaba Khamenei Backed Deal He Opposed After Pledge on Iran’s Rights

A statement attributed to Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said he authorized the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding despite personally opposing it, days after the two countries’ presidents signed the deal.

International news agencies have not independently verified the message, which was posted June 18 on an account presented as Khamenei’s media office.

In it, Khamenei says he held a different view “as a matter of principle” but granted permission after President Masoud Pezeshkian, as head of the Supreme National Security Council, pledged to safeguard the rights of the Iranian nation and the “Resistance Front,” according to the statement.

The statement says Pezeshkian accepted that responsibility and stated that Iran would not submit to excessive U.S. demands. The statement says the American president pursued the agreement out of desperation.

Iran would not submit to excessive U.S. demands if the American side overreached. — Statement attributed to Mojtaba Khamenei

The reported message follows confirmed developments. Trump and Pezeshkian signed the 14-point framework remotely on June 17, with Trump signing in Versailles and Pezeshkian in Tehran.

The framework provides for an end to strikes, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, an end to the U.S. naval blockade and a 60-day ceasefire extension.

The attributed message aligns with earlier signals. U.S. officials had described “tacit approval” from Khamenei ahead of the signing, and Pezeshkian has said Khamenei played a role in including provisions meant to safeguard Iran’s interests.

The statement says future in-person negotiations will not mean accepting the enemy’s position.

Major issues remain unsettled. The framework contains no accord on Iran’s nuclear program or uranium stockpiles, deferring those to talks over the 60-day window.